Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-01-05
A AGO.

YEARS AGO.
The January number Of the South
ern Bivouac contains a second paper
on the "North western conspiracy"
The writer devotes much space to a
narrative of the efforts made by Jacob
Thompson, the especial commissioner
Of the Confederate States TO Canada"
In the summer Of 1864, with a view to
interesting prominent men of the
north, Thompson was In communca-
ton with Judge jeremiah Black and
Vallandigham. the latter being at the
time in Canada. Vallandighsm ex-
planned to Thompson the character of
the secret society, the ''Sons NJ Liu-
erty." Of which he was the grand
commander. He assured them that
there was in all 300, 900 members.
There were 81. 100 m.mbers, he said,
in Illinois, $1,000 in Indiana. aud
10000 in Ohio. The order owed its
existence. it was claimed, to an appre-
bension that the progress Of events
was leading Ia a military despotism,
against which IL was necessary 10 or
ganize and arm the members of this
association. The writer says: II had
no personal sympathy with the con.
federates at all. They desired that
the war close; they did not believe in
the constitutional right of. coercion,
and thought 1t unwise and harsh, but
they deprecated, If they did not ron.
denim secession; they had no wish to
see the south successful by armed
superiority, and while they wanted
the federal armies Withdrawn from
the southern territory there were f.w
of them who would have contributed
in any way to a confederate dis.
aster to the Union armies
In tina field, Thompson and
his fellow commissioners ell.
deavored in every way possible To
foster the idea of a northwestern con-
federacy to act in concert with the
SOUTH The writer denies that JEFF
Davis was a member of the order or
had anything to do with drawing up
the ca i-titution. The constitution of
this order declared that the over
ment as designated the United States
of America, had no sovereignty, le.
cause hat Is an attribute belonging Ia
the people in their Respective state
organic atoms and with which they
dare not endOw The government ~ u
common agent whenever the officials
TO whom the people have intrust,d the
p0wersUfgnvernment shall refuse toad
miuistrsle it in strict accordance with
the constitution. but shall assume the
exercise of the power aud authority
delegated IL. It IL the inherent right
and imperative duty of the people to
resist such officials aud if need be en-
pei them by force Of arms. such re-
sistance il not revolution but Il wholly
the assumption Of right. The article
concludes with all article to Mason and
Sliddell, from which the following are
extracts: ''Th /. state government holds
confederate prisoners at Chicago and
Rock Island, ILL.,, numbering about
5000, and about 1000 In Indiana.
The membership OF the Sons of Lib.
erty' Is Ia Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
being In the aggregate about 10000.
1t a be so arranged that these states
shall be arranged into n western con.
federacy, with such advantages IA viii
enable them 10 dictate terms of peace
10 the United states government. IL
is proposed by the northwestern
people To take possession % the
present organized governments OF
the three states mentioned and or.
ganize provisional governments for
the purpose in view. In order to
arouse the people, political meeting
called peace meetings have been
held and inf tmmatOry addresses de.
livered, aud wherever ora ors have ex
posed themselves for peace with the
restoration of the uuion, and IL I al
cannot be, then peace on any terms,
the cheers and clamors Of the masses
have known no bounds. You are
aware OF the former initiatory expla-
nation between Judge Black, Of Penn
sylvanis, Mr.. Stanton and myself.
Stanton has acted In many respect
shamefulIy, and has forfeited much ci
that respect which Judge Black form
erly entertained for him. Three days
ago, however. Judge Black visited N.
In Toronto, delgated by Mr.. stanton
~ do 40, and stated 10 methat Stanton
was convinced Of the present prospect
ofMr. Lincoln's overhaul In Novem.
Der and the necessity o. something
being done which in that event would
allow the exposure Of the state OF pub
lie feeling at this time. Mr.. Stanton
does not not believe that anything ex-
cept q determined favorable turn In
military affairs will prevent the defeat
OF the republican party NJ the next
election, and Black has come 10 learn
the state OF feeling In the confederate
states, and 10 know whether 4 was
able 10 say II negotiations could be
opened without separation. / am
given to understand that a proposition
will be considered which will O
IN In all u rights, present aud pros.
pective." The letter was signed by
Thompson.